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More troops would not improve Iraq security: Schroeder
Berlin, Sept 10: Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said today that sending more foreign soldiers to Iraq would do little to improve security and again ruled out the participation of German troops in any future multinational force there.
Berlin, Sept 10: Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said today that sending more foreign soldiers to Iraq would do little to improve security and again ruled out the participation of German troops in any future multinational force there.
But Schroeder said Germany was ready to help the war-torn Gulf state rebuild by training Iraqi Police officers in Germany and offering the use of its military schools for preparing a new army.
"I do not believe that we are in a situation, where we should take part militarily," he told deputies in the Bundestag Lower House of Parliament during debate on the 2004 budget. He said he doubted that more troops would improve security in Iraq and that it would be better served by "quickly installing a real Iraqi authority."
"If more soldiers were to be sent to the country, then it would be better if they came from countries which have a closer relationship with the Islamic faith," he said. With US troops under steady attack in Iraq, Washington has proposed that the UN Security Council create a multinational security force to counter the instability, and to legitimise the US-installed Iraqi governing council.
Berlin opposed the US-led war on Iraq, which was waged without UN approval, and has been lobbying ever since for the United Nations to return to the fore and be given a Central role in rebuilding.
Schroeder said that Germany was ready "alone or with others in Europe" to help train Iraqi police officers who could help ensure a return to stability. Bureau Report
"I do not believe that we are in a situation, where we should take part militarily," he told deputies in the Bundestag Lower House of Parliament during debate on the 2004 budget. He said he doubted that more troops would improve security in Iraq and that it would be better served by "quickly installing a real Iraqi authority."
"If more soldiers were to be sent to the country, then it would be better if they came from countries which have a closer relationship with the Islamic faith," he said. With US troops under steady attack in Iraq, Washington has proposed that the UN Security Council create a multinational security force to counter the instability, and to legitimise the US-installed Iraqi governing council.
Berlin opposed the US-led war on Iraq, which was waged without UN approval, and has been lobbying ever since for the United Nations to return to the fore and be given a Central role in rebuilding.
Schroeder said that Germany was ready "alone or with others in Europe" to help train Iraqi police officers who could help ensure a return to stability. Bureau Report